Illinois Public Media

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Illinois Public Media

Advocates Go After Rauner On Same-Sex Marriage

June 02, 2014

Advocates for gay marriage are blasting Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner's stance on the issue as Illinois' new law allowing same-sex marriages takes effect statewide.

Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov says the Winnetka businessman has opposed efforts for the new law and has previously vowed to work against them. He says Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has been a champion of same-sex marriage.

Bruce Rauner has said if he were governor and a same-sex marriage bill came to his desk - he’d either sign or veto it - depending on the results of a public referendum.

"When you run for governor, the top job in the state, you better be able to say where you stand. You have to tell the truth," Cherkasov said. "You have to explain to the voters how you would vote on crucial decisions affecting the lives of our state."

A spokesman from Rauner’s campaign said the Republican does not have an agenda to change the same-sex marriage law.

Advocates addressed the issue Monday in Chicago. The law took effect Sunday. But since it wasn't a business day some county clerks waited until Monday to issue marriage documents.

Rauner hasn't detailed his views on gay marriage, aside from saying he doesn't have a social issues agenda.

Meanwhile, Dennis Cockrum and Joel Brotherton were among the dozens of couples who lined up in Champaign Sunday as same-sex marriage became officially legal in Illinois.

Champaign County Clerk Gordy Hulten said his office had processed about two dozen licenses as of that afternoon. He expected to complete between 40 and 50 licenses by the end of the day.

Sunday marked the first day all of Illinois' 102 counties could begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.